More detail on this person: Multiple Sclerosis.It is with my deepest regrets to inform you of the
passing of my father, LTC Herbert Degner, on July 3, 2000 at the Tomah VA Hospital in Tomah, WI.
I have attached an Obituary for you to include in one of your future publications.
If you have any questions, you may contact me at this e-mail address or by telephone (608)269-1832
after 2:30 pm.
Thank you for the memories I have growing up as an Army Brat and living around the Choppers.
Fritz Degner, sniperteam2@yahoo.com
LTC Herbert Larry Degner (Ret.) made his final flight to the Heavens on July 3, 2000 at the
Veteran's Administration Hospital in Tomah, Wisconsin.
He attended the University of Wisconsin - Madison, graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree.
While attending the University he was a member of the University Rowing Crew which won the National
Intercollegiate Rowing Association Regatta in 1959. He also participated in ROTC, earning the Honor
of Distinguished Military Graduate.
He entered the United States Army in September 1959 as a Commissioned Officer and was assigned
as a Platoon Leader to the 52nd ARB, 2nd Missile Command at Ft. Carson, CO. While there he
completed the Infantry Officer's Basic Course at Ft. Benning, GA receiving his Expert Infantryman's
Badge.
He attended ORWAC, Class 62-8 in which he was the Honor Graduate. After completing flight school
he was assigned to the Army Aviation Test Board as one of the Test Pilots for the Chinook. He
served in this capacity until he was sent to Vietnam in August of 1964. He flew UH-1B's as a
Section Leader of the 145th Airlift Platoon of the 145th Aviation Bde. In July of 1965 he returned
to Ft. Rucker and served as an Instructor Pilot at the Army Aviation Center until December of 1967.
He returned to Vietnam in January 1968 for a second Tour of Duty as a Section Leader flying Chinooks
for the 147th ASHC of the 222nd Aviation Bn. and in June 1968, he was transferred to the 1st
Aviation Bde. serving as the S-3 Training Officer.
From Vietnam he served as Company Commander of 154th TC Detachment and later as Commander of
HHC, 21st Avn Bn. at Ft. Sill, OK between January 1969 and September 1970.
He then served as Commander of the 568th Transportation Company and later as the S-4 for the 222nd
Avn. Bn. at Ft. Wainwright, AK. He was transferred to Ft. Richardson, AK and served at HQ, USARAL
in the Maintenance Section through July of 1975.
In July of 1975 he was sent to the 190th ASHC, USAR in Olathe, KS as the Aviation Advisor and
completed the Army Command and General Staff College while there. He made his last logged flight in
June 1978 prior to being assigned as the Assistant DIO for V Corps in Frankfurt, Germany.
Part of his duties there included devising a Corps wide evacuation order known as the NEO Plan. He
also assisted with the Evacuation of the American Hostages from Tehran, Iran to Rhine-Main Air Force
Base.
He chose Ft. McCoy, WI as his final tour of duty and was assigned as a Training Officer for the
Readiness Group, which supervised many National Guard and Reserve Units in the Upper Midwest. In
March of 1982 he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and became the Executive Officer of the
Readiness Group.
He retired with a 100% disability due to Multiple Sclerosis, which he had developed in early 1981,
because it had affected his ability to walk. He courageously fought on for 19 years, never thinking
of if he would walk again, only when he would walk. He died on July 3, 2000 at the age of 64 years
5 months and 5 days. He is walking and standing tall again now, proud to have served with and flown
with many people throughout his career. God Bless and Thank You all
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site: 01/11/2025
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